Yesterday, the girl at the drive through said “hi” to Binker as if he were 2 years old. He’s actually like 18 in his mind, so he just stared at her and said “Hi” back in a monotone voice. She asked what grade he’s in (This is not the typical “here’s your happy meal” interaction, right?), and I said kindergarten. In a singsong voice she said “Oh, I’m a junior in high school! You have to catch up to mee! Hehe, I’m just kidding, bye bye!” Binker and I drove away, and I swear he was also thinking “WHAT was THAT?” I said something like “Well, she was friendly”, but he wasn’t buying it. And ironically, his stuffed emoji in his happy meal was the “Whatever” face.

Later on, a discussion in one of my facebook groups got me thinking about the interactions we have with strangers. Why do we ask “how are you today?” Is it because we really want to know, or just because it’s polite? Most of the time it’s “I’m fine, thanks”, and you move on with your business. Sometimes (too often with me) it’s “nice to meet your problemsImeanyou”. I must have “tell me all about your kids/divorce/illness/random problem” on my forehead, and our conversation turns into a psychology session. So, maybe that’s why I am wary of talking to strangers…and sometimes actually looking at them…and sometimes going out into public at all…

I find that sometimes these random personal conversations do hold some meaning, and it’s a significant exchange. I live with the belief that there’s meaning in everything. So, I could take away from that interaction a reminder that my Binker is unique, and that we in our family thrive on mindful discussion. I’m not sure how many five-year-olds would look at that girl as anything other than friendly. So, I guess we have to acknowledge that these boring, unintelligent, and seemingly meaningless interactions are always there to show us something. (That’s why I made sure to say that the girl was nice.) We just have to consciously remember to think this way, you know, to avoid the slip into existential dread.

Binker is totally allowed to think “whatever” though! I mean really, she might as well have hovered a squeaky toy above his head.

In honor of mindfulness, and finding the sunny side and all that, I will now show you my mother’s day gift. It was chosen by Tuna and Binker, and I have given it a place of honor on my sunny back porch. I did such a good job of NOT LAUGHING when I opened it! They went to one of my favorite stores, walked all over the store, and chose this phallic blue jellyfish just for me. I was the best actress! I do like it, and HAHAHAHAHA it’s a four-tailed chiming glass sperm!!!!! Look at its sparkling magnificence in the sun! Thanks, boys. This made my optimistic day. Happy Mother’s day, and may all of you find the joy and humor in your seemingly meaningless moments.